The Medical Association of the State of Alabama shared Wednesday that the number and strength of prescription opioids in Alabama continue to decline, according to a new national report released this week.
Key findings from the American Medical Association’s latest report on substance use and treatment include:
- Opioid prescriptions in Alabama decreased 46.2 percent from 2012 to 2024.
- The average dosage strength of opioid prescriptions fell 58.7 percent during the same period.
- Prescriptions for naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, increased 222.8 percent from 2018 to 2024 but declined 15.4 percent from 2023 to 2024 as retailers made over-the-counter naloxone available.
The Medical Association of the State of Alabama stated that physicians in Alabama have been at the forefront of these efforts for more than a decade, and that it was among the first medical associations in the nation to offer formal training focused on the safe, effective and evidence-based prescribing of opioids. In partnership with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Medical Association offers three training courses each year for physicians and Advanced Practice Providers. Since 2009, more than 10,000 prescribers across the state have completed the course.
In 2023, the Medical Association also strongly supported the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to make naloxone available without a prescription.
“Physicians have fundamentally changed how opioids are prescribed in Alabama,” said Dr. Mark LeQuire, president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. “Doctors are using lower doses, prescribing opioids more selectively and emphasizing alternative treatments whenever possible—all while continuing to care for patients who legitimately need pain management. At the same time, the overall increase in naloxone prescriptions reflects a clear commitment to preventing overdose deaths and saving lives.”
Alabama physicians say continued education and access to treatment services remain critical as Alabama works to reduce opioid-related harm statewide.
Resources for Help
Alabamians seeking substance use treatment services can visit www.findtreatment.gov or call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
